Antifriction window-sash support



July 13 ,1926.

J. F. BREWE ANTIFRIGTION WINDOW SASH- SUPPORT Filed July 18, 1925 INVNTOR.- JJ'. BRE

ATTORNEY Patented July 13, 1926. v

UNITED. STATES JOHN F. BREWE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ANTIFRICTION WINDOW-SASH SUPPORT.

Application filed July 18,1925. Serial No. 44,551.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved anti-friction means carried by a sliding window sash, or the like, and engaging the window frame, whereby easy sliding movement is secured, the sash is automatically held in any position in which it may be placed manually, and rattling of the sash in the frame is prevented,

A further object of this invention is to provide a cushioned anti-friction device, such as a bearing ball, carried by a sliding window sash and adapted for rolling en gagement with the frame.

A further object of this invention is to combine with the anti-friction supporting device a means for excluding the weather from entering between the sash and its frame. I

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of i the class described which is economical and efiicient.

WVith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in theclaims and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a face View showing a window frame containing .two sliding sash equipped with my improved devices.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sec- .tion on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the anti-friction devices detached, on the line 33 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail section of a modified form, showing how the wear strip for the anti-friction devices may also embody the characteristics of a weather-strip to. exclude the weather from entering between the sash and its frame.

In the construction of the devices as shown the numeral 10 designates generally a window frame, which may be formed in the usual manner with two parallel grooves 11, 12 at each side, in which sash 13, 14 are mounted for vertical sliding movement. It has been customary to provide counterbalancing means for the sash, composed generally of weights mounted for vertical movementin recesses formed inthe frame, which is an expensive construction as regards time and labor involved for installation and repairs. v

I have provided:spring-pressed anti-'fric- 7 tion devices carried by the sash and having rolling engagement with the grooves of the frame whereby the sash is positioned auto matically and held against rattling by reason of the spring pressure. Four of the anti-friction assemblies preferably are provided, two on each side of the sash as indicated in Figure 1. Each of these devices comprises a tubular housingv 15 closed at its inner end and containing a stout helical spring 16 bearing at one end against the closed end of the housing and at the other end a ainst a disk 17 loosely mounted therein. gainst the outer face of the disk 17 is placed a series of bearing balls 18, in this instance three in number, which in turn engage a relatively large bearing ball 19, of substantially the same diameter as the housing.

The outer end of the housing 15 may be formed with. a peripheral attaching flange 20, and this end of the housing is closed by a plate 21 preferably of the same dimensions as the flange 20 and adapted to be attached thereto as by welding at the Spots 22 (Fig. 4). The large ball 19 normally projects somewhat from the housing 15, and'theclosing plate 21 is formed with a central aperture, of less diameter than said ball, through which a-portion of the {gall projects for rolling contact with a mem- Each housing 15 is mounted in a cylindrical bore formed in a suitable location in the sash and opening to the outer margin thereof, andis held in place by means of screws-or the like extended through holes 23 formed in the closing plate 21 and attaching fiange 20,'which plate and flange preferably are countersunk in the surface of the sash rail, which permits the projecting portion of the bearing ball 19 to project a suitable distance beyond such surface.

The sash so equipped is mounted for slid i-ng movement in the grooves of the window frame, the balls 19 being pressed inwardly somewhat by contact with the bottoms of the grooves, whereby the springs 16 are placed under tension. Preferably a wear strip such as 24, of brass or other suitable material, is placed at the bottom of eachgroove to receive the actual contact of the rolling balls 19, and held in place as by screws 25.

When sliding movement is imparted to the sash the balls 19 roll freely on the wear strips 24 and on the balls 18, which it touches at three points only, so that friction is reduced to a minimum. The tension of the springs 16 is suficient that it exerts pressure on the balls 19, through the disks 17 and balls 18, that said balls 19 are pressed firmly against the bottoms of the grooves (or the wear plates therein) and the sash is thereby held in any position in which it may be placed manually. This also tends to hold the sash firmly in place against rattling in its frame. By this means the use of window weights or other stop means is eliminated, and the other advantages named are also secured at small cost, as the devicesare inexpensive and are easily installed in the sash; likewise there is little likelihood of their getting out of order.

In Figure 5 I have shown a construction in which the wear it has also the function of a weather eaclude the elements from en ween the sash and frame. formed with a flange 24" extendin t angles to its body and entering a we 13 formed vertically in the adjacent of the sash, which slidably engages tl same. The anti-friction devices are located at one side of the flange I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise construction, as various modifications, within the scope of the claims, may be employed without departing from my invention. For instance the cushioning means behind the anti-friction devices, and also the inner arrangement of bearing balls, may be of different form, as also the construction of the housing. I also call attention to the fact that the device may be used in connection with other movable members aside from window sash, as for instance a friction latch for a swinging door.

I claim as my invention-- 1. A device of the character described,

comprising a cylindrical housing closed at its 1 rear end, a coil spring mounted in the closed end of said housing, a fiat disk engaging aeaaeis said spring, a series of bearing balls engaging said disk tangentially, and a relative y large bearing ball of substantially the same diameter as said housing engaging the series of balls, together with a substantially plane closing plate for said housing having a hole through which'a portion of the large bearing ball projects for rolling contact with a stationary device.

2. The combination with a fixed and a movable member of a cylindrical housing carried by said movable member, a wear plate carried by said fixed member, a cushioning spring in said housing, a series of bearing balls backed by said spring, a single relatively large bearing ball of substantially the diameter of the housing mounted thereinand engaging the series of balls, a closure for the housing formed with an aperture through which a portion of the large ball projects for rolling contact with said wear plate, said plate having a plane smooth surface with which said large ball contacts, said spring being placed under tension by engagement of said ball with said plate whereby the movable member tends to remain in any position in which it is placed.

3. The combination with a Window frame and a sash slidable therein, said frame being formed with a groove to receive said sash, of a wear plate formed with a plane face and with a right-angled flange at one side of said plane face extending into a groove in said sash, a housing countersunk in said sash, a coil spring in said housing, a series of bearing balls backed by said spring, a relatively large bearing ball engaging the series of balls, and a closing plate for said housing substantially parallel with the plane face of said Wear plate and formed with a small opening through which a portion of the large ball projects for rolling contact with the plane face of said wear plate at one side of said flange.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 26th day of June,

JOHN F. BREWE. 

